Electric bikes are convenient in so many ways. They allow you to cycle with less effort thanks to assistance from a motor, and they give a boost of power when you need it most, like when you’re tackling a tough climb. As a bonus, they’re an environmentally-friendly way to get from A to B.
However, there’s one thing that often puts prospective e-bike owners off, and that’s their size and weight. They are often significantly heavier than traditional bikes, making them tricky for commuters who have to use trains or buses on their journey, or for those who want to put them in the car for a weekend adventure. A standard e-bike weighs between 20 and 25kg, which is a lot to be carrying around.
That said, we have some good news for you. Electric mini bikes exist, and they could be the solution to all your size and weight-related e-bike woes. They’re lighter and have smaller wheels than regular e-bikes. They can usually fold, too.
They have all the benefits of an e-bike, such as enabling you to arrive at work less sweaty thanks to the motor-assisted pedalling, being a more environmentally-conscious mode of transport, and taking the strain off cycling. However, they come in a more compact package that’s easier to store and to carry when necessary.
Electric mini bikes are beloved by urban commuters, who want an easier ride to work and a bike that they can store in small apartments. They’re ideal for short rides on flat, even terrain like roads and paved cycle paths.
On this page, we’ll tell you all about why electric mini bikes are so great, walk you through what to expect when you’re shopping for one, and introduce you to six of the best electric mini bikes for adults on the market right now.
Why People Love Electric Mini Bikes
People love electric mini bikes for all kinds of reasons. They offer all the benefits of an e-bike without sacrificing a lightweight ride.
Electric mini bikes are best loved by urban commuters who need to get from A to B on cycle lanes and paved roads. The smaller wheels are ideal for even terrain, and the light frame is perfect for carrying on and off trains and buses. There’s the ability to fold the bike, so useful whether you need to take it on public transport, tuck it under your desk at the office, or stash it in your small city apartment.
On top of all this, electric mini bikes also offer the same plus points of a traditional electric bike. Pedalling is assisted by a motor up to the legal e-bike speed limit. In the UK and Europe, e-bikes are not allowed to go faster than 15.5mph on public roads, but in the US e-bikes can go up to 28mph depending on the class of e-bike. This takes the strain off cycling. The motor power is also very useful when tackling inclines, making those tough hills a breeze.
Plus, city riders who use their electric mini bike as a primary mode of transport will enjoy the fact that electric motor assistance stops them from working too hard and getting too sweaty while riding to work, to see friends and family, or just cruising around the city. On arrival, it’s easy to tuck the mini bike away in a cupboard or corner, instead of having to worry about finding space to store a larger regular bike.
Of course, electric bikes are also an environmentally-friendly mode of transport. Admittedly, a traditional bike is better in this regard as you don’t need to use any power at all, but electricity is cleaner than the petrol or diesel used in a car, and you’ll arrive at your destination much less tired on an e-bike than you would on a regular bike.
Electric Mini Bikes Size
There’s no hard and fast rule about the size of electric mini bikes, just that they’re smaller than regular electric bikes.
You’ll probably find they have smaller wheels – 14 inches, for example, rather than the standard 26 to 29 inches – and they may have a generally smaller frame than what you’re used to seeing.
Electric mini bikes are often lightweight folding bikes, so they can be made smaller when you need to stow them away, whether that’s on public transport, at work or at home. Again, the true size when folded varies from bike to bike, but folding bikes are an excellent option when you need your ride to be compact for storage.
While folding e-bikes are small by design, and often have wheels around the 20-inch mark, electric mini bikes can have even smaller wheels. This does mean you sacrifice some comfort when going over bumps on the road due to the smaller wheel size, but if your commute is short and storage size is more important to you, you may well decide that it’s worth the sacrifice.
An electric mini bike is ideal for you if you need a lower-effort way to cycle to your destination, need your bike to be as compact as possible when storing it, and require your bike to be as lightweight as possible for lifting on and off public transport, carrying up stairs, or putting into overhead storage.
If this sounds like exactly what you need, let us guide you through six of the best electric mini bikes for adults that you can buy right now, with options to suit different budgets, styles and needs.
Best Electric Mini Bikes
- DYU Folding Electric Bike [REVIEW]
- A-Bike Electric [REVIEW]
- Airwheel E3 [REVIEW]
- Brompton Electric C-Line [REVIEW]
- Hummingbird Folding Electric Bike [REVIEW]
- Fiido D3 Pro Mini Electric Bike [REVIEW]
1. DYU Folding Electric Bike
Features: Three riding modes, shock absorbers, multi-terrain use
Weight: 17.5 kg
Range: 40 km
Gears: 3-Speed
Price (approximate):
£449
$ 449
€449
Durable
Three riding modes
Multi-terrain
The DYU Folding Electric Bike is a great budget option for mini bike riders. It has a high-strength lightweight aluminium-magnesium alloy frame, folds down to just 116cm x 21cm x 74cm, and can travel up to 40 km on a single charge.
It has three riding modes: pure electric mode, fitness riding mode and ordinary bike mode, as well as three-speed control and quality dual disc brakes.
Unlike many of the other bikes on this list, the DYU Folding Electric Bike’s tyres are designed for cycling on both urban roads and rural tracks, and the front fork shock absorber and middle shock absorber make the ride comfortable and stable no matter the terrain.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Multi-terrain | Relatively heavy |
| Lightweight | |
| More budget-friendly |
2. A-Bike Electric
Features: Compact folding, small wheels, quick charging
Weight: 12 kg
Range: 25km
Gears: 1-Speed
Price (approximate):
- £700
- $ 700
- €700
Very compact
Lightweight
Decent range for commuters
The A-Bike Electric dubs itself the smallest, lightest folding electric bike on the market, and while it looks nothing like a conventional e-bike, it’s compact, easy to fold, and has a decent range of 15 miles. The battery takes just 2.5 hours to charge, so you can comfortably recharge during your work day ready for your ride home.
When folded, the A-Bike Electric’s dimensions are a tiny 21cm x 40cm x 70cm, and it weighs just 12kg. Its wheels are very small and have solid tyres which do not require a pump and are designed for flat, urban terrain — ideal for commuters and city riders.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Quick to charge | Only suitable for flat terrain |
| Folds very small | |
| Lightweight |
3. Airwheel E3
Features: Compact fold, headlights, fast charging
Weight: 12.5 kg
Range: 31 to 60 km
Gears: 1-Speed
Price (approximate):
- £719
- $ 719
- €719
Interesting look
Compact fold
Lightweight
With 8-inch wheels, a folding size of 40cm x 35cm x 47cm, and a weight of just 12.5kg, the Airwheel E3 is quite justified in calling itself a ‘backpack e-bike’.
It has an unusual look which is designed to fold up incredibly small, with the wheels slotting into the loops in the frame for compact portability. The bike is available in black or white, fully charges in around 3.5 hours, and comes fully equipped with extras like a bell and headlights for the optimum urban riding experience.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Compact fold | Unusual seat |
| Decent range | Not comfortable for long rides |
| Different colours available |
4. Brompton Electric C-Line
Features: Smart Pedal Assist, quality components, compact fold
Weight: 17.4 kg
Range: 30 km to 70 km
Gears: 6-Speed
Price (approximate):
- £2,995
- $ 2,995
- €2,995
Reputable brand
Stylish bike
Compact without sacrificing quality
While the Brompton Electric C-Line isn’t as ‘mini’ as some of the other bikes on this list, we’d be remiss not to include the iconic electric bike from the most renowned folding bike brand.
This bike certainly packs a punch, with a 6-speed drivetrain, range of up to 45 miles, a stylish look and quality components. It weighs 17.4kg and its folding dimensions are just 64cm x 56cm x 27cm.
Despite its relative light weight and small folded size, the Brompton Electric C-Line is a very well-made, reliable bicycle that is ideal for both short urban commutes and longer weekend rides.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Well-made bicycle | Pricey |
| Great range | Larger than other mini bikes |
| Stylish and practical |
5. Hummingbird Folding Electric Bike
Features: Security system, lightweight, customisable
Weight: 10.3 kg
Range: 50 km
Gears: 1-Speed
Price (approximate):
- £4,495
- $ 4,495
- €4,495
Extremely light
Stylish design
Long range
With an eye-catching, stylish design, a 250W motor, app-customisable settings, 50km range and a folding mechanism that collapses the bike in just 5 seconds, the Hummingbird Folding Electric Bike is a great option for those looking for a quality, portable e-bike.
This bike weighs just 10.3kg and folds down to 117cm x 60cm x 20cm, so it couldn’t be easier to carry and store. Its wheels are larger than some of the others on this list, but it still folds up nice and small, so you get a comfortable ride without sacrificing portability.
Plus, it arrives fully assembled and ready to ride, and has extra features like an Active Electric Lock system for added security, and customisable frame options.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Very light | Pricey |
| Customisable design | |
| Security system |
6. Fiido D3 Pro Mini Electric Bike
Features: Long range, attractive design, small wheels
Weight: 17.5 kg
Range: 60 km
Gears: 3-Speed
Price (approximate):
- £699
- $ 699
- €699
Stylish design
250W motor
Long range
The Fiido D3 Pro Mini Electric Bike isn’t the smallest or lightest on this list — it weighs 17.5kg and folds down to 125cm x 40cm x 63cm — but it has plenty of benefits that make it a great option for those in search of a mini bike.
It has a 60km range, charges in 5 hours, and can accommodate riders of any height. Its small wheels have durable tyres which make it reliable on different terrains, and it has two sleek colour options — black and white — which are both stylish and practical.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Stylish design | Not the lightest or smallest |
| 60km range | |
| Relatively affordable |
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